Romans 15

Bearing Burdens & Glorifying God Together

Text: Romans 15

Introduction

VERSES 1-4

Here was see a continuation of Paul’s instructions regarding the “strong” and “weaker” believers.

Some lived with a strong faith while others remained uncertain about how the gospel freed them from dietary laws.

Paul addresses the “strong.”

They lived with a clear conscience about eating food that was considered ceremonial unclean due to their faith in Christ.

Here is the temptation of the “stronger” = paying very little attention to even ignoring them.

Paul did want them to develop the attitude of just “putting up” with weakness of their fellow brother/sister, but be supportive of them.

Galatians 6:1–2 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Paul was insisting for the “stronger” to be supportive and helpful to those who may naturally not be productive within the church.

Paul wanted them to think through how the gospel shifts their focus from pleasing one’s self to pleasing their neighbor.

They were directed to be intentional in helping the “weaker” develop their Christian maturity.

“his good to edification”

Romans 14:19 “19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

1 Corinthians 9:19–22 “19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 “24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

1 Corinthians 13:5 “5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”

Philippians 2:4 “4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

(v3) Christ is always our best example.

Jesus did not order His life in such a way to please Himself.

If the very Son of God forewent personal advantages to take the form of a servant, how much more should we do the same?

(v3) Paul is quoting Psalm 69:9 “9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” (Christ is the speaker and the Father the second person)

“reproach” = insult n. — a rude communication that belittles or offends somebody or something unjustly.

Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

To follow Jesus is to live as a servant.

1 Corinthians 10:33–11:1 “33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 8:9 “9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

Philippians 2:5–8 “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

(v4) It is truly amazing how timeless God’s Word is.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Q — Why is it the Bible remains relevant to every generation? ANS = It speaks to our deepest needs.

The endurance and encouragement we gain from God’s Word allows us to live in a continual state of hope.

Paul is saying that God is the One who gives us these things.

Q — What have you learned from God’s Word that gives you hope in the mist of difficulty?

Psalm 119:50 “50 This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me.”

VERSE 5-6

(v5) Paul is describing two attributes of God’s person; patience & comfort.

“Likeminded” is not speaking of everyone coming to the same conclusion, but rather their conduct be respectful and loving toward each other.

Paul is calling for a unity in perspective.

The perspective that Jesus Christ is our model for Christian conduct.

For example: Jesus’ values, priorities, character, etc.

1 Corinthians 3:3 “3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

The natural flow from someone who draws closer to Christ is a closer connection to the body of Christ.

Q — Why is the kind of unity important? (v6)

It is impossible to please the Father trying to operate outside of Jesus’ model and teaching.

Jesus’ instructions/modeling: Love, mercy, patience, yielded, speech, thought life, etc.

This kind of unity brings a special symphony of praise to God.

It should be the priority of a family to materialize this.

VERSE 7-12

This paragraph brings to a close Paul’s major presentation. It highlights the overall theme of the letter, “the inclusion of the Gentiles within the promises to his people.” (Robert Mounce)

(v7) Once again, Paul reminds them to base their acceptance of the weaker brother/sister based on Jesus’ reception of all His children.

Should it really be that difficult to extend a hand of friendship to those Jesus loves?

Q — If something glorifies God, should we be passive to it? Every member of the body should be 100% engaged in this if we are collectively going to glorify God correctly.

God is the one who makes brotherly kindness possible.

(v8) Jesus’ ministry began by reaching the Jewish people.

Matthew 15:24 “24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

John 1:11 “11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

Acts 13:32–33 “32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.”

NOW, Gentiles can glorify God for the same mercy.

Genesis 22:18 “18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

Jesus’ incarnation was that of a Jew that He might reach every nation.

Paul quotes four Old Testament passages in view of God’s universal scope of redemption:

(v9) Here are the first quotes:

2 Samuel 22:50 “50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, And I will sing praises unto thy name.”

Psalm 18:49 “49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, And sing praises unto thy name.”

(v10) Here is the second quote:

Deuteronomy 32:43 “43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.”

(v11) Here is the third quote:

Psalm 117:1 “1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.”

(v12) Here is the fourth quote:

Isaiah 11:10 “10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, Which shall stand for an ensign of the people; To it shall the Gentiles seek: And his rest shall be glorious.”

Isaiah is speaking of the divided nations of Israel and Judah of which. The nation was described to have been chopped down like a tree with the stump remaining. Jesus would be the branch to come out of the stump to unite the nation again.

Jesus is called the “Branch” throughout the New Testament:

Matthew—David’s righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5); Mark—my servant the Branch (Zech. 3:8); Luke—the man whose name is the Branch (Zech. 6:12); and John—the Branch of Jehovah (Isa. 4:2).

Thus Jesus Christ will one day fulfill the OT promises God gave to the Jews and will reign over His kingdom in glory and victory (Warren Wiersbe)

VERSE 13

This filling of joy and peace is conditional upon the believer continuing to “trust in Him.”

Joy and peace truly are an overflow of trusting God.

Quote: “It is not up to us to conjure up hope or any other spiritual quality. Our only access to empowerment is to believe.” (Robert Mounce)

Everything else rest in the hands of God.

“hope” = A particular desire will be fulfilled.

It all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

He ushers within us joy, peace, and hope when we cooperate with him in continued trust regarding His promises in Christ.